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For one it takes 3 hours from the airport!!! That charges $250. It's up a bunch of scary dirt road. The hotel was nice but not worth going for this location, I was ready to turn around and go back to the US before even getting in the cab. There is no beautiful scenery outside of the hotel. Wifi is not included and if you pay for wifi and you have more than one device u can only use one device at a time IN THE ROOM. There is no wifi on other hotel areas. The food was plain disgusting, would have thought that would have been at the least ok. This is my first day here and I still have some days to go hopefully it gets better but other than that I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AT ALL!!! Come at your own risk

Stayed August 2014

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6Thank Kimberly H

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

We really appreciate the time spent to post your comments through this website.

The Barceló Tambor Beach hotel is located 3 hours from San Jose airport (Juan Santamaria Airport), where you can take the highway to Puntarenas (Route 27) completely paved and then continues your trip by ferry (1 hour and 30 minutes) you are going to arrive in Paquera, just 20 minutes away from the Hotel.

Around the hotel, if would you like, you can go to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve or Curu, also visit Montezuma's waterfalls and enjoy one of most beautiful sunsets on one of the beaches with a big surf tourism as Mal Pais.

The hotel has wireless internet service, which is not included in the all inclusive. Each key is for a device at a time and If the customer wants to get a password for more than one device at a time, it is necessary gets other password for other device, you can ask for it in reception.

Regarding the food, we consider that your point of view is very important and we are going to work together with the kitchen staff to improve the variety and quality of our menus.

Once again, thanks for posting your comments, which help us to be better every day.

Yours faithfully,

Raúl Arranz Medrano Principal Barceló Tambor Beach

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Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

If you are used to five star resorts you may want to look elsewhere. Although this is a nice resort there are many things that could be done to make the experience nicer.This was our first time in Costa Rica and to be honest I really thought that the resort would be similar to some other resorts we've been to, I was wrong. The staff was helpful but for the most part we felt like an inconvenience due to the fact that we did not speak Spanish. At a resort where many of guests are from Canada and the US it would be beneficial for their staff to be fluent in English. The food was average at best. I admit that I am a picky eater and expect that the food for me would be less than desirable however, I travelled with 2 people who are not picky eaters and they were disappointed at the selection. It seems as though the food was either the same or slightly different each day. For guests that are staying for a week or more selection in the menu would be a welcomed change.The pool was nice...more lounge chairs would be a good idea with additional umbrellas for shade coverage. On a couple of occasions after getting drinks from the pool bar we took the drinks to the other end of the pool and then were told by security that we could not have the drinks in that end of the pool...to be honest this is the most ridiculous rule at the pool. What is the difference if I drink at that end of the pool or the other? Nothing!The rooms.. We stayed in a room that had 2 double beds. The beds were comfy and the bedding clean. The room overall could use a remodel, it's a little dated. The a/c was great, very powerful which was nice. Nice television with some English stations. The bathroom needs an overhaul. In the shower there was mildew, no water pressure. The cleaning staff provided a room of 3 guests 4 bath towels, 1 hand towel and no facecloths! The toilet paper although 2 ply was like wiping with cheap paper towel! (It's the little things)The cleaning staff always did a nice job of tidying the room.Overall the resort is average in my opinion and a bit disappointing. We had a good time and made the best of our girls vacation creating new memories....Would I go back to this resort? I'm on the fence about this. I believe that some things need to change at this resort to give your guests a more pleasant experience.

Stayed July 2014, traveled with friends

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3Thank Meloney D

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Months later, my 6 and 9-year old still talk about the fun activities here, as well as the pools, food and also the macaws! There's quite a bit to keep young ones occupied between arts and crafts, trampoline, the various pools, and the macaw area (as well as spotting the wild macaws and watching the huge iguanas lounge about the property).

My son got a cut while in the ocean, and one of the dance instructors scooped him up and rushed him off to the on-site doctor, who thoroughly cleaned the wound and bandaged it. It's nice to have competent medical staff on site when traveling with kids.

The serpentarium seemed sort of untended too, but this is a minor detail.

I didn't see lifeguards on duty at the pool, though perhaps there were. As a safety precaution I'd make sure my kids were out of the pool before dusk, as it was hard to find them in the dim, crowded pools once it got dark (and night falls fast in the tropics!).

Also, for the trampoline and wall climbing, kids need to sign up at the activity area at like 10am. The activities then take place in the afternoon, but I saw several people show up disappointed because they missed the sign saying they needed to sign up beforehand.

The room was very comfortable and looked out onto a pleasant green space. The gardens are very pretty, and the maintenance crew unobtrusive. There was always fresh fruit and water available which is nice in the heat, and the meals were satisfying, if not always spectacular, but then again they are preparing food for hundreds!

A definite easy vacation with little ones, and beautiful views from the beach ... watching the planes come in off the ocean to land on the little strip next to the hotel was also neat for my kids.

Stayed January 2014, traveled with family

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4Thank sophiacostarica

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

The resort offers great value for the price. I've been to some luxury all inclusive resorts but of course the prices I paid were much higher, too. We got an awesome deal on the ocean front room so we decided to come here. Only a few of the staff speak English. But that is not much of a problem since we got by using gestures and some basic Spanish words. The staff were generally nice and helpful. I also feel they are working hard. Whenever I walked around, I saw someone sweeping/mopping the floor, wiping the tables, etc. Our room was normally cleaned by noon every day and bed was comfy. Out of the two restaurants needs reservation. The steakhouse has great ribeye. The Japanese restaurant is a hidden gem.

Wherever I traveled, I always use a money belt and leave other valuables in the hotel safe. I didn't feel that this hotel is more unsafe than other places I visited. My only suggestion to the management is that the public restrooms next to the buffet and the front desk are in need of renovation.

Room Tip: Ocean front rooms is the way to go

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Stayed July 2014, traveled with friends

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2Thank Denver C

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We stayed here 3 days and nights. The accommodations were so so. The room was comfortable and the A/C worked. Our room safe was broken and we never got it fixed for the 3 days we stayed. Someone stole all of our belongings from the pool area. ID's, cameras, phone, credit cards, money towels ect. This of course is of no fault of the resort just our experience. The staff was somewhat helpful in our situation but were not what I would call outstanding by any means. They refused to help us file a police report. I guess they did not want to tarnish their image. They did however let us use their phone at the front desk to make international calls to cancel our credit cards ect. Security was able to recover our ID's from the trash and for that we were thankful. The food was sub-standard and the reservation only steakhouse was horrible. The property was very neat and clean and the staff was very courteous and helpful. Overall an average experience.

Stayed June 2014, traveled as a couple

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4Thank Joseph T

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First let me start by saying this hotel was much better than I expected. The photos on the website did not do the hotel justice. I have to give the staff at the Steak House kudos for the dinner on Thursday 26, June 2014. There was an unexpected storm and we were forced from the dining area into the actual kitchen by high winds and rain. The staff still prepared a meal for us and everyone that chose to stick around was served a great meal. Absolutely fabulous

Room Tip: If you want a hammock ask for a corner room. Even though a hammock will not make the trip it may ju...

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Stayed June 2014, traveled with family

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Thank Notlrac1971

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

The all inclusive price seemed great for the food, drink, and activities. Room comfy. Expect only one beer option, which was good local, but different varieties of light vs regular would have been great. Sunrise was beautiful on the beach, just be sure to wear shoes at the beach with the rocks. Glad we had our Keens. Only a few people knew english and we knew very little spanish, so it was a game of charades with hand gestures, but everyone was still nice and friendly. We only stayed 3 nights but had no problems making reservations two of those mornings for both special resturants for two of the nights. The food there was delicious. Compared to the other places we stayed around Costa Rica, This place was not evironmentally friendly at all! Every other hotel stressed how they wanted to conserve water, electricity, and recyling was huge. However at Barcelo every drink cup (paper, plastic and styrofoam) all went to the trash, what a waste. Maybe they should incorporate a refillable cup???!!! Dont expect to have free internet, that is not part of the all inclusive (alot extra!!). It wasnt really needed but it would have been great to check-in to flights and look up directions for a few places with out the huge fee. They have a trail where you can observe the parrots, macaws, and wild mokeys. One description stated the macaws are endangered and a breeding program was on the premises. BUT It would have been great to have an explaination of why some of the animals were there since some parrots looked like they could fly and should be released if so. Horses were also in a dirt/rock area with very minimal shade, I wanted to ride just to get them out and to some grass. They looked healthy but I still felt bad. So it was more like a non educational, captive zoo :( We went in late May, which was low tourist season and high time for the locals. Golf resort nearby, 9 hole course was good. Also near Montezuma, great place for souviners and at a great value! Resort also near ferry for easy travel back to San Jose. Good value Resort, just wish there werent so wasteful.

Room Tip: I did not not have a room option, luckily we ended up with a good view balcony and beach in the dist...

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Stayed May 2014, traveled as a couple

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3Thank 2014GatorFans

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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Also Known As:

Barcelo Tambor Beach Hotel Tambor

Barcelo Hotel Tambor Beach

Barcelo Hotel Puntarenas

Hotel Barcelo Playa Tambor

Barcelo Tambor Costa Rica

Barcelo Tambor Beach Costa Rica

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